Our Main Building and galleries will not be open to the public for Nuit Blanche. Access to “Hopes and Fears Assembly” will be on the northwest side of the Main Building.

August 26–27, 2023

Ho Deng Ensemble

Street Performances

Ontario

Waves of Memory

Photo courtesy of the artist

Overview

Facing the water and singing a song—it’s like sending a message in a bottle. Because the distance is unknown, it’s more about letting emotions overflow into the sea. You see yourself in the waves, and you hear yourself in the song. A well-known folk song, “Reminiscence of Anping,” is the first thought of many elders in the community when they think of the Netherlands. The lyrics depict a Taiwanese woman carrying the golden-haired child of a Dutch ship doctor, waiting for her lover who never returned to the harbour. When people hear the melody, what they think of is no longer a melancholic love story, but their memories of Formosa. Ho Deng Music Ensemble will take you on a journey through time and the experiences of immigrants, as they perform songs about longing at the Harbourfront Centre. There, you will find unforgettable life stories that should not be forgotten. 

About Ho Deng Ensemble

Ho Deng Music Ensemble is a traditional music ensemble comprised of mainly children that started learning Chinese traditional instruments in Canada. Founder Jeanette Teng has been teaching students of all ages and backgrounds the techniques, art, and history of the same instruments that first captured her interest so many years ago. Ho Deng Music Ensemble has since earned awards at many competitions and has performed across the globe, including the founder’s birthplace of Taiwan and at the annual TAIWANfest. 

Dates & Times

August 26
12pm – 12:30pm
2pm – 2:15pm
5:45pm – 6:15pm

August 27
1:30pm – 2pm
3:45pm – 4:15pm

Venue

North Orchard

235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, ON